New inter-Muslim incident in Sandžak

Police have intervened in Tutin today to prevent new serious conflict in Tutin. The two groups of Muslims, gathered around two Islamic organizations, the Islamic Community in Serbia, and the Islamic Community of Serbia, first exchanged insults, and then turned to hurling stones at each other, when MUP officers intervened. New inter-Muslim incident in Sandzak The incident today follows Friday's clashes that saw one person wounded from a gunshot. Today, eyewitnesses said several people were injured and one car damaged. Police said they also detained several persons. The latest tension between the rival Muslim factions comes over disputed ownership of the grounds where a construction of a medrasa is planned. Earlier today, the mayor of Tutin in Sandzak appealed for calm after Friday's clashes in town. Semsudin Kucevic called on state institutions to ensure that the rival groups of Muslims do not engage in violence again. Kucevic's appeal comes ahead of Monday's start of construction works on the medrasa, announced by the Islamic Community in Serbia led by Muamer Zukorlic. The Islamic Community of Serbia, the rival organization, is led by Adem Zilkic. Kucevic, however, in a statement for Tanjug news agency, accused Zukorlic of being responsible for the unrest and asked the police to "disarm his men". Zukorilic, who accuses Zilkic for the turmoil, said he expected Muslim worshippers to behave with dignity and prove their religious unity as they gather for the ceremony tomorrow. As for Zilkic, he sees the matters differently. "Muamer Zukorlic has sent armed men from Novi Pazar to cause a conflict between the worshippers," he yesterday told a news conference in Novi Pazar, Sandzak's largest town. He also accused "some members of the Military Intelligence Agency" of being behind the unrest, but would not give any details. The split in Serbia's Islamic community was long simmering, and became official last October. Zukorlic is politically close to Rasim Ljajic, a government minister associated with President Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS), while his local arch-rival, Sulejman Ugljanin, allied with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), is seen as close to Zilkic. Zilkic's Islamic Community of Serbia has today asked the Ministry of Religion to finally make its position on the legal stand of the two communities known, "and eliminate existing dualism", a statement said. It also expressed worry over Friday's events in Tutin, and regret for the wounding of individuals, but also protested what it sees as "irresponsible behavior of the state organs". The Islamic Community of Serbia criticizes the police, MUP, and the prosecution for not taking any concrete steps in line with the law on weapons. "Well-known armed persons from Novi Pazar clashed with the citizens of Tutin on March 7," the statement said, and added this came as a result of intention to provoke tensions and clashes.

New inter-Muslim incident in Sandžak

The incident today follows Friday's clashes that saw one person wounded from a gunshot. Today, eyewitnesses said several people were injured and one car damaged.

Police said they also detained several persons.

The latest tension between the rival Muslim factions comes over disputed ownership of the grounds where a construction of a medrasa is planned.

Earlier today, the mayor of Tutin in Sandžak appealed for calm after Friday's clashes in town.

Šemsudin Kučević called on state institutions to ensure that the rival groups of Muslims do not engage in violence again.

Kučević's appeal comes ahead of Monday's start of construction works on the medrasa, announced by the Islamic Community in Serbia led by Muamer Zukorlić.

The Islamic Community of Serbia, the rival organization, is led by Adem Zilkić.

Kučević, however, in a statement for Tanjug news agency, accused Zukorlić of being responsible for the unrest and asked the police to "disarm his men".

Zukorilić, who accuses Zilkić for the turmoil, said he expected Muslim worshippers to behave with dignity and prove their religious unity as they gather for the ceremony tomorrow.

As for Zilkić, he sees the matters differently.

"Muamer Zukorlić has sent armed men from Novi Pazar to cause a conflict between the worshippers," he yesterday told a news conference in Novi Pazar, Sandžak's largest town.

He also accused "some members of the Military Intelligence Agency" of being behind the unrest, but would not give any details.

The split in Serbia's Islamic community was long simmering, and became official last October.

Zukorlić is politically close to Rasim Ljajić, a government minister associated with President Boris Tadić's Democrats (DS), while his local arch-rival, Sulejman Ugljanin, allied with Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), is seen as close to Zilkić.

Zilkić's Islamic Community of Serbia has today asked the Ministry of Religion to finally make its position on the legal stand of the two communities known, "and eliminate existing dualism", a statement said.

It also expressed worry over Friday's events in Tutin, and regret for the wounding of individuals, but also protested what it sees as "irresponsible behavior of the state organs".

The Islamic Community of Serbia criticizes the police, MUP, and the prosecution for not taking any concrete steps in line with the law on weapons.

"Well-known armed persons from Novi Pazar clashed with the citizens of Tutin on March 7," the statement said, and added this came as a result of intention to provoke tensions and clashes.